Trampled by Turtles perform Music is Grand fundraiser
Sold out concert at State Street to benefit The Grand
The Duluth band Trampled by Turtles, who will be performing a sold out concert at State Street Theater on Saturday, Oct. 24. Submitted photo
A custom sign advertising the Trampled by Turtles performance at State Street Theater hangs in the window a The Grand. Proceeds from the concert will benefit The Grand Center for Arts and Culture. Photo by Clay Schuldt
The front entrance to The Grand Center of Arts and Culture. The annual Music in Grand concert benefits the center’s programming, operational costs and building upkeep. Photo by Clay Schuldt
Craig Kotasek of Tin Can Ally Press creates a special poster in The Grand’s Cellar Press. The poster advertises the upcoming Trampled by Turtles concert on Oct. 24. Submitted photo
The Duluth band Trampled by Turtles, who will be performing a sold out concert at State Street Theater on Saturday, Oct. 24. Submitted photo
A custom sign advertising the Trampled by Turtles performance at State Street Theater hangs in the window a The Grand. Proceeds from the concert will benefit The Grand Center for Arts and Culture. Photo by Clay Schuldt
The front entrance to The Grand Center of Arts and Culture. The annual Music in Grand concert benefits the center’s programming, operational costs and building upkeep. Photo by Clay Schuldt
Craig Kotasek of Tin Can Ally Press creates a special poster in The Grand’s Cellar Press. The poster advertises the upcoming Trampled by Turtles concert on Oct. 24. Submitted photo
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NEW ULM - The Duluth band, Trampled by Turtles is coming to State Street Theater in New Ulm on Saturday, Oct. 24 as part of the Music is Grand series.
The Music is Grand series officially started two years ago as fundraiser for The Grand Center for Arts and Culture. The first year Emmylou Harris performed it, followed by Los Lobos last year.
John Kellen, executive director of The Grand, said the performance is expected to be art center's largest source of revenue for the entire year.
He explained that two years ago, a generous donor to The Grand suggested they use funds to bringing in a well-known musical act to New Ulm in order to help raise funds for the nonprofit.
Kellen said they took the donor's suggestion and invested funds to bring Harris to State Street Theater. The show was a huge success with tickets selling out quickly.
Kellen said State Street Theater has only sold out of seats a few times in its history, one being the Harris concert and now two years later, Trampled by Turtles has done it again.
'Trampled by Turtles' is a difficult band to define in terms of genre. The band is sometimes referred to as a bluegrass-folk band, but the band as resisted genre labels. As a Minnesota band, Trampled by Turtles does have a large regional fan base. Kellen said The Grand did not need to advertisethe show before it sold out.
He said the concert did inspire another 100 people to sign up for membership at The Grand. Members get early access to tickets and there were many people who wanted to see Trampled by Turtles.
"It is a really great way to join The Grand," Kellen said.
The proceeds from the concert will go back into The Grand's programming and operational budget, but this year a portion will go into their "1876 fund." This fund is used to complete maintenance connected the art center's age.
Kellen said they love operating the art center out of an older building, but there are substantial costs to maintaining it. This last summer, the building began having trouble with its HVAC system, which will likely need to be replaced. The building's roof will likely need to be replaced in the near future. They would like to have have extra funds around to help for other emergency repairs.
Since The Grand is a nonprofit, it only receives funds from grants, donations and endorsements. For this reason the annual Music is Grand concerts is a huge benefit to the organization, but also other New Ulm organizations.
Kellen said for the Music is Grand series, they work with State Street Theater because they have a venue large enough to accommodate national touring acts. During the first year when they hosted Emmylou Harris, The Grand assisted State Street Theater in upgrading their sound system.
Kellen said they realized that if State Street Theater was going to host larger acts, they would need a system with more juice behind it. Proceeds also help improve the bathroom facilities at the theater.
Kellen said thanked State Street for hosting the concert series. He said it was a great partnership and the musical artists enjoy playing there.
He said when he was talking to Emmylou Harris back stage, she said that because it was a very intimate setting, it was one her favorite venues to play in years.
Kellen said the concert also benefits many of the local businesses. He said those attending the concert are expected to book hotel rooms and make reservations at the local restaurants.
"A lot of people benefits," Kellen said. "There is an economic impact from having arts in a community."
While this year's Music is Grand performance is sold out, Kellen confirmed it would return next year with a new nationally known touring artist.
Kellen would not say which musical act they will bring in next year, but said they hope top make the announced during the Trampled by Turtles show.
Those interest in getting early tickets were reminded that membership at The Grand would give them earlier access to the tickets when the box office opens.